Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
Click for ZooMed
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You

Gasping/wheezing?

tl4 Sep 15, 2008 04:28 PM

Hello,

I have a boa, and I noticed that occasionally while she eats she will make a loud gasping or wheezing sound. She doesn't have any noticable mucous in her mouth or nostrils, and she doesn't gasp or wheeze any other time. I feed her f/t and the rat is still wet when I feed her. Is this a normal sound, from the rat being in the way of her breathing tube, or from being covered by water from the wet rat? Or is it time for me to take her on a vet trip?

Replies (4)

jscrick Sep 15, 2008 05:24 PM

I wouldn't worry about it.
I feed the same as you've explained and hear the same thing from time to time. No RI in my collection.
jsc
-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Ophidia_Junkie Sep 15, 2008 06:20 PM

It's due to exhalation through the glottus, while they are eating. No worries. Perfectly normal.
-----
Sublime Boa Constrictor

LarM Sep 15, 2008 06:47 PM

I agree with other posts most likely normal
Although if you notice her resting her head in an up right more vertical position . Like against the side of the cage or up against the water dish. This could be a sign of breathing problems due to RI. Sometimes I've witnessed this before any other visable signs(mucous) or any sounds.
. . . . . Lar M
-----
Boas By Klevitz
Boas By Klevitz

tl4 Sep 15, 2008 07:33 PM

Thank you all for your input. I will keep an eye on her, but won't get panicked! I wasn't sure how normal it was, since I'm rarely in the room while she eats (she strikes at the cage if i'm moving around in the room and theres a rat around) so I didn't notice til more recently.

Site Tools